Quick answer
Mallards are adaptable feeders — diet shifts with season and habitat. See our full profile for prey, plants, and feeding behaviour.
Diet overview
The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic ducks and the world's most recognisable wild duck, weighing about 1.
Feeding behaviour
Many mallards adjust what they eat as food availability changes through the year.
Ecological role
As predators, scavengers, or seed dispersers, they shape the ecosystems they inhabit.
FAQs
Where can I learn more about the mallard?
See our full mallard profile for habitat, diet, and conservation status.
Where do these facts come from?
This page is researched from established zoological references including IUCN Red List data and our full mallard species profile.